Phey’s indigo eyes turn toward Aslan.
The emotion contained in those eyes was relatively clear.
In fact, upon reflection, it was awkward that it had taken this long to notice.
Perhaps, it also meant that Aslan had been ignoring Phey’s sincerity to such a degree.
Even though Phey’s expressions and emotions hadn’t changed, it was Aslan who had deliberately turned away from them.
Elves and humans generally cannot be together.
Not even because of Phey’s appearance as a child; when Phey openly showed kindness, Aslan had refused all forms of relationship.
Having been hurt too many times, Aslan couldn’t let anyone in, nor could they approach someone else out of fear of losing them again.
For these reasons, Aslan regarded Phey only as an elf and comrade to protect.
They consciously thought this way and acted accordingly.
But now, that stance was beginning to waver.
The reason was simple.
It was because Phey, who had previously read rejection in Aslan’s actions and behaved merely as a fellow elf, had changed.
Their body was changing, and with the newfound confidence that came from it, Phey approached more actively.
Phey was undoubtedly a top-tier warrior, among the very best.
Phey knew the strengths and weaknesses of their own body and understood exactly how to approach Aslan to unsettle them.
Phey’s legs, stretched out straight, trembled slightly.
The already short dress swayed precariously every time Phey moved their legs.
It was blatant.
Phey noticed Aslan’s gaze and greeted it with a peculiar smile.
The toes, flexing gracefully, seemed to hint at what they were capable of.
Aslan shook their head to clear the rising thoughts and chuckled nervously at the sight.
“Aslan, is something wrong? Are you in pain? I’m worried,” said Phey.
Though fully aware, the words spoken carried a tone of concern.
Lumel might overshadow this fact, but Phey’s acting skills were extraordinary.
Aslan sighed deeply at this realization.
“Phey…”
“Since Aslan has teased Phey, Phey will tease Aslan back. You understand, right?”
Aslan wanted to say they hadn’t teased Phey, but Phey’s gaze was subtle.
It was as if accusing Aslan of mingling with other women in the group.
Which, in truth, Aslan had done, leaving them speechless, while Phey’s gaze remained steady in silence.
Surprisingly, it was Aslan who spoke first.
“Phey, you know this… but that was…”
“Unavoidable, right?”
Phey interrupted with a smile.
When Aslan stopped mid-sentence, robbed of their words, Phey added a chilling edge to their sly grin.
“Aslan finds unavoidable things pleasurable, don’t they?”
Phey cut off Aslan’s attempt to make excuses, clearly disapproving.
Aslan closed their mouth, cold sweat trickling down.
Indeed, it wasn’t strange for Phey to be fully aware of all of Aslan’s physical relationships.
Phey’s senses were among the best in the group, alongside Aslan and Tiamat.
Especially excelling in all five senses.
There was no way Phey wouldn’t have heard the cries of women mingling with Aslan or Aslan’s rough breathing.
Phey’s senses were simply too sharp.
Phey’s words were undoubtedly implying Aslan’s rough liaisons.
While Aslan’s relationship with Ereta might have been unseen and unheard, thus unknown, their relationship with Angie was certainly not.
Realizing there was nothing to say, Aslan wore a perplexed expression, and Phey smiled faintly after observing them for a moment.
“Don’t say it was unavoidable. Got it?”
“…Alright.”
Aslan wanted to leave this situation.
If left alone with Phey, it felt like “that unavoidable thing” would happen.
Even if Aslan resisted temptation, forcing themselves on Phey wouldn’t seem out of place.
Aslan wanted to avoid that possibility.
They wanted to change from the past when they lost control and let their senses dictate their actions.
Recalling the recent near-incident caused by reckless behavior, Aslan realized they needed more restraint.
Especially since the counterpart was Phey.
Because until recently, Phey had the body of a child, indulging in lustful feelings toward them felt unsettling.
Just as Aslan was about to speak, consumed by obsessive thoughts:
“So, why did you come here today, Aslan?”
Phey crossed their legs, resting their arms on their knees and propping up their chin.
The swinging foot stopped, and Aslan looked at the pale, clean foot.
Among the changes in Phey’s body and attitude toward Aslan, one thing remained unchanged: their feet.
Though slightly different in size, fundamentally, they were the same as before.
This made Aslan feel more conflicted.
They couldn’t decide how to respond to Phey’s emotions.
“Aslan?”
“…I’m thinking of going to the city of the wizards. Would you like to come along?”
The reply came a beat late.
Though delayed, the calm response prompted Phey to uncross their legs.
The dress fluttered like gray waves as it shifted positions.
Phey ignored Aslan, who unconsciously stared at the line extending from their thigh.
“City of the wizards… sure. Phey wants to go too.”
The answer came readily.
Aslan greatly relieved by this.
Anna Helmenius.
She held affection for Phey like a daughter and would likely act as a restraining influence on Phey’s behavior.
Thinking this would ease the tension, Aslan hoped for some relief—at least until they met.
*
Aslan headed toward the city of the wizards.
Thanks to the space transfer of Ados, travel time was drastically reduced.
The Anurthin Council, practically at the southeastern end of the southern continent.
Through the tear in space, riding the lightning, they transferred.
Passing through the gateway of law and order, originally intended for punishment, the scent of an unfamiliar sea tickled their nose.
Before they knew it, Aslan, Phey, Number 13, and Tiyalmisof were in the heart of the city of wizards.
An island and city close to the center of the northern continent.
A city that felt both strange and familiar, though it had been so long since they last visited.
The purpose of the visit was simple.
To bring Number 13 and persuade Anna of the reason Aslan must teach them.
Incidentally, showing Anna Phey’s transformation and having her rein in Phey’s desires.
Surely, seeing Phey’s changed body, Anna, who thought of Phey like a daughter, would hope Phey wouldn’t treat their body carelessly.
So, Aslan expected it when Anna gasped upon seeing Phey.
“Phey…?”
A gasp of astonishment, yet a question asked knowing the answer.
“Yes, it’s me, Phey!”
Phey answered naturally, with a mischievous smile tinged with something different.
That smile clearly indicated Phey had changed.
Change. Something Anna Helmenius once avoided and feared.
Now, faced with another change, she anxiously asked,
“What happened… or rather, how…?”
Elves do not grow. And Phey is an elf.
A race destined to remain forever young.
At least, that was what Anna Helmenius believed, and the knowledge Anna possessed was mostly unchanging.
Now, that unchangeability had broken.
“There was an incident. Why, isn’t Phey cute anymore?”
Phey effortlessly acted disappointed.
A sad, regretful expression that could make even an outsider pause.
Such a natural look.
Anna, who thought of Phey like a daughter, couldn’t possibly stay silent.
“No, no, my dear! You’ll always be cute. It’s just… I…”
“It’s okay. Phey isn’t cute anymore.”
Anna’s green eyes brimmed with despair.
Phey gazed at them steadily, then glanced briefly at Aslan.
Stretching out their legs, Phey tapped their feet against the floor, brushing the hem of the dress that barely covered their buttocks.
“Phey is seductive now.”
It was true.
But Aslan couldn’t agree and quietly closed their mouth.
Anna observed the entire situation, looking puzzled at Phey, then turning to Aslan.
Aslan anticipated her reaction.
She must have realized the situation.
Now, Anna’s job was to warn Phey and reprimand Aslan.
Though facing the prospect of being scolded, Aslan figured enduring it was worth buying time.
Aslan looked at Anna, who stared back for a long while before letting out a short sigh.
“Ahhh.”
A sigh filled with regret.
A sigh born of some revelation, carrying a faint sense of liberation, responsibility, and regret.
Her reaction was clearly far from what Aslan had hoped for.
Anna looked sorrowfully at Phey, then firmly closed her eyes.
“If my dear wishes it… I can support her wholeheartedly.”
Her words betrayed Aslan’s expectations entirely.
It was also a result Aslan arrogantly assumed wouldn’t happen and thus failed to foresee.
Anna was a mother who had lost her daughter.
Moreover, a mother who had lost her daughter to a martial artist.
Considering that, she could easily entrust her daughter to a strong man capable of protecting her.
Issues of character and wealth aside, Aslan lacked no disqualifying factors.
Though Phey wasn’t truly her daughter, Anna supported her decision as a mother.
Partly due to guilt over losing her real daughter, whose soul alone remained, because of her own greed.
Hiding her turbulent emotions for Phey’s happiness, Anna acted contrary to Aslan’s hopes.
Silence fell, and the five stood by the passage leading to Anna’s lab, glancing around.
Unaware of the situation, Number 13 blinked repeatedly, while Tiyalmisof, understanding the situation but unwilling to intervene, stepped back.
Thus, the situation belonged solely to Aslan, Phey, and Anna.
The exact atmosphere Aslan had desperately wanted to escape earlier.
Phey raised an eyebrow at Aslan, and Anna cast a glance at Phey’s seemingly immodest attire.
Her gaze soon shifted to the figure behind Phey—Number 13.
The faint sky-blue hair peeking out from beneath the hood.
Coupled with the unmistakably innocent heterochromatic eyes despite their slit pupils.
Anna involuntarily gasped. The sound was closer to awe than shock.
“Who is this adorable one…?”
Without realizing, she took a few steps forward.
Meanwhile, as Tiyalmisof contemplated how to respond, Phey stealthily approached Aslan and linked arms.
“Aslan.”
A whisper. Startled by the touch on their arm, Aslan jumped slightly, only to meet Phey’s gentle upward gaze.
The words that followed were even more surprising than the sensation.
“Since Aslan went around the city alone with Ereta, I think we should do the same.”
“How do you know about that…?”
The implication of a city date with Ereta.
Seeing Aslan flustered, Phey brushed the red hair falling across their cheek and continued.
“Phey knows everything about Aslan. So… shall we play together?”
“I’ll watch over you.”
The added words were sweet, but their underlying meaning was anything but.
“…Alright.”
Aslan closed their eyes and, leaving behind the sounds of Tiyalmisof and Anna exchanging greetings, headed toward the city.
